How to Recognize Poison Ivy

If you want to avoid getting a bad case of poison
ivy, it helps to see it! The photo below is filled
with it!

Characteristics:

leaves in groups of 3 ("leaves of 3, let it be" is the old
saying)

The newer, younger leaves look very shiny, especially
in the spring. That shine is the poisonous oil!

The leaves can have smooth edges or additional lobes or
serrations.

The stem leading up to the leaf is often a reddish
color

Grows only in partial sun, such as on the edges of
footpaths in the woods, or at the edges of woods, rarely in
the deep shade, and rarely in the open full sun (but it will
sometimes!).

If you do touch it (or touch a dog that has just been
rolling in it) wash all exposed skin as soon as possible (within
an hour) with strong soap (like laundry detergent, thoroughly).
It is an allergen, so removing it quickly is key.

There are blocking creams you can put on, before you go into
the woods. Larger drugs stores sell them.

Note 90% of the plants in this photo are poison
ivy, there are a two small maple tree seedlings, in the top left
corner and towards the top right. I assume you can figure out the
obvious differences.

What to do if you get poison ivy

If you get some of the poison ivy plant oil on you and don't realize
it and wash it off, you may get a rash. You may not; remember, it is
an allergen, and some people just aren't allergic to it. If you
start to itch and see red bumps, like small bug bits, but raised and hard,
and many of them clustered together, that is probably it.

First wash the affected area with a strong drying soap to remove as
much of the remaining plant oil as possible. Then apply a drying
cream, like Calamine lotion. You may also want to use an anti-itch
cream, like Lanacaine. And above all, do NOT scratch it! That
spreads any remaining oil, and if you create a cut, may open your skin to
an infection.

The contents of the pustules do not spread poison ivy, though.

And if you haven't had it before call your doctor just to be sure
you haven't misdiagnosed yourself!

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